Low carbon group marks its birthday

THEY began one year ago with the aim to cut carbon in Oxford’s Rose Hill and improve the environment.

Now the Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon group is celebrating its successes over the past year with its first birthday today.

It is among the county’s 58 Community Action Groups and has members aged 12 to 85.

It helped ensure solar panels are part of Oxford City Council plans for Rose Hill’s new £3m community centre, to be built this year.

And they count a campaign to get people to look closely at insulation to be their biggest success.

They offered to take thermal images of homes to show people where heat was being lost.

Last month, more than 70 people attended an advice session with information on issues like energy-saving appliances.

Group chairman Eleanor Watts said: “Like many of my neighbours, I’m deeply concerned about climate change and the environment, but I also see the need for action as an opportunity for communities to pull together and achieve a common goal.

“I have been amazed at what we have been able to achieve with a group of wonderful volunteers in such a short space of time. It is a very friendly group and it has been a wonderful year.”

Other activities include monthly collections of unwanted electrical items for recycling.

Some 88 items were donated in December and January with most repaired and resold.

Members also planted about 300 trees at Rose Hill recreation ground in November.

Litter-picks, apple-pressing evening and communal cooking events using leftovers were among its other activities.

Ed Turner, Labour city council ward member for Rose Hill and Iffley, said: “The group has achieved such a lot in its first year of operation.”

Future priorities include more renewable energy projects and solar panels on buildings, and a possible electric car club.

Its annual general meeting will be held tonight at 7.30pm at Rose Hill Community Centre,The Oval, and will be followed by a birthday party.

Ipsoregulated

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